By Jezza A. Nepomoceno

Iloilo hospitals reported record-breaking revenue for 2016 with, according to the Hospital Management Office (HMO), earnings totaling P281 million.
The amount broke the P261 million in earnings made in 2015.
Rep. Pedro G. Trono Memorial District Hospital in Guimbal reported the most in earnings with P39.25 million, followed by Iloilo Provincial Hospital in Pototan with P39.05, and the Jesus M. Colmenares District Hospital in Balasan with P31.67 million.
Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr., has since directed hospital chiefs to remit the excess revenue to the provincial treasurer.
Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, also the chief of HMO, explained the excess in income was largely due to unutilized subsidy from the province’s coffers.
The hospitals in Alimodian, Balasan and Calinog, for example, had major infrastructure improvement in 2016 without expense from the provincial government. The three were recipients of $7 million aid from Korea International Cooperation Agency.
Others were also provided with assistance under the Department of Health’s Health Facilities Enhancement Program.
Banias said they are contemplating to reinvest about P150 million of the excess income to procure additional medicines and medical and laboratory supplies, and to fund other proposed hospital infrastructure projects./WDJ